Thanks to a generous grant from Empire Merchants and the gracious hospitality of the Lyons American Legion, WI-FI and video surveillance are now part of the Lyons dock on the Erie Canal.

Major funding of the WI-FI and video camera network was a generous grant from Empire Merchants. Necessary additional funding was provided by the Village of Lyons. According to Mayor VanStean, “The Village Board really wanted to see this happen!” The Lyons American Legion, adjacent to the canal, offered their building as the base station for the newly installed network.

The project was coordinated by Police Chief Richard Bogan. Chief advocates for the project were Village Trustee and local business owner Sean Dobbins and the Volunteer Boat Greeters. The network was installed by Innovative Solutions of Sodus Point, NY.

The network, with an IP based camera operating through a wireless WI-Fi, is state of the art. While the WI-FI is primarily a significant benefit to boaters, the video surveillance is a significant benefit to boaters, community, and police. The camera can be remotely accessed from the police station as well as police cars. According to Chief Bogan, “The cameras could be a detriment to crime as well as a useful tool in case of an emergency on the waterfront.”

The American Legion in Lyons is proud of the role they played in establishing the WI-FI and camera network. According to Donald Shulters, a Legion member, “Many boaters are military veterans. The Legion welcomes all boaters, especially veterans, through our doors and to the community. We are always trying to help the local community.” Said Commander Joe Ferndino, “When we were asked to consider using our building as a network base, we knew immediately it was the only right thing to do…. We are constantly trying to help promote the community and worthy causes, and this was indeed a most worthy cause for boaters, tourists, and all of Lyons.”